FISH & SEAFOOD : FRESH OR FROZEN

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Kingklip [fish]

Genypterus capensis

kingklip babies dressed - Gordon's Bay Fisheries, Gordon's Bay, Western Cape, Helderberg, South Africa [© 2010 Paul Godard]

Other Common Names

Kingklip (RSA), Congrio (USA), Pink cusk - eel/Australian rockling (Australia), Ling (New Zealand), Abadeche du Cap (France).

Other Scientific Names

Xiphiurus capensis, Hoplophycis lalandi

Etymology

Genypterus -  Means family with fins
Capensis – From the cape
The name kingklip is derived from the Old Dutch name koningklipvisch which literally means the king of rock fish since they prefer to live on rocky bottoms.

Features

The kingklip have a shape similar to an eel, but with a blunt snout and a flat underside. The overall coloration of the body is pinkish with irregular brown blotches and a lighter shade towards the belly. Both jaws are laid out with rows of sharply pointed teeth.

Size : 85 cm | Weight : 3.5 kg

Ecology

Known to be bottom dwelling fish, especially on rocky bottoms and on offshore banks to depths of 500m. They feed on smaller fish species, mantis shrimp and squid.

Distribution

Kingklip can be found from Walvis Bay to Port Elizabeth, but this species may not be targeted directly, and no permits are issued to catch kingklip. This fish is usually caught with hake, but only 5% of the total amount of catch is allowed to be kingklip and it is regarded as by - catch.

Regulation

No permits allowed.